Defensive end battle taking shape for TexansCompetition on the line is heating up, with Earl Cochran making a strong move to unseat veteran Anthony Weaver and start opposite Mario Willaims

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

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Texans defensive end Earl Cochran (96) blocks defensive end Anthony Weaver (98) as they go through pass rush drills. The two are competing for a a starting job at defensive end, opposite of Mario Williams.

Texans defensive end Earl Cochran (96) blocks defensive end Anthony Weaver (98) as they go through pass rush drills. The two are competing for a a starting job at defensive end, opposite of Mario Williams.

On Sunday, Kubiak took his praise to a new level when he said Cochran is pushing Anthony Weaver for a starting job on the left side opposite Mario Williams.

“Earl’s becoming a player that’s looking more and more like a starter every day,” Kubiak said. “Anthony’s being pushed very heavily by Earl.

“Earl’s an up-and-coming player, and he continues to prove that on a weekly basis.”

Weaver, a seven-year veteran in his third season with the Texans, welcomes the competition from Cochran, also in his third season in Houston.

“Earl’s playing great, and he’s definitely pushing me,” said Weaver, who has battled knee and shoulder injuries since signing as a free agent from Baltimore. “Hopefully, we’ll push each other to new heights.

“I don’t have a huge ego. Competition is a great thing; it’s never a bad thing. I’m always willing to compete for my job.”

Even though Cochran is trying to take Weaver’s starting job, Weaver is quick to help him.

“If I have question, I come to him,” Cochran said about Weaver. “Everybody helps each other. When you do that, it creates competition. As a competitor, you want that.”

Defensive line coach Jethro Franklin likes what he sees of Weaver and Cochran.

“It’s fierce competition,” Franklin said. “They’re tough guys, and they try hard all the time. They have a lot of pride.

“We’re just going to let them play and see what happens.”

Until now, Cochran (6-5, 282) has gotten more attention for running into Dunta Robinson on the play that caused the cornerback to suffer knee and hamstring injuries at Oakland last season.

Hard work paying off

During this training camp and the preseason opener against Denver, Cochran has been earning the praise of his teammates and coaches.

“Earl doesn’t look too bright, but he’s real smart,” defensive end N.D. Kalu said with a laugh. “He’s the hardest-working player I’ve seen in 12 years.

“How do I know he’s so smart? I’ve been sitting in meetings with him for two seasons. He’s so smart I’m asking him how to do things.”

Cochran grew up in Bessemer, Ala., where he attended Jess Lanier High School, the same as middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Cochran played at Alabama State and was cut by Green Bay and Minnesota before finding a home with the Texans in 2006.

Cochran seemed surprised to hear that Kubiak said he looks like a starter every day.

“It always feels good when a coach or another player praises you,” Cochran said. “That’s what you’re in the game for — to earn the respect of your peers and your coaches. That’s what I strive to do every day.

“I guess he likes what he sees. They’re going to put the best guys on the field. I set high standards for myself. I’m trying to create competition, and if I create competition, regardless if I’m the starter at the beginning of the season or not, the team is better.”

Cochran plays left end. In passing situations, he moves inside, and Williams moves from left to right to line up next to him.

“My pass rush is better than last year because I moved inside,” Cochran said. “The pass rush inside is different. It’s not hard to do both. It’s just different techniques.

“We need to get more sacks to be competitive in our division. We only won one game (in the AFC South, over Jacksonville) last season, and better pressure could have changed some of those games, because it creates turnovers, and turnovers win games.”

Willing to be pushed

Franklin and Frank Bush have done a good job helping develop Cochran.

“Jethro’s going to push you as far as you’re willing to go,” Cochran said. “When a coach stays on you like that, it brings out the best in you. He doesn’t let us get away with the small things. It’s the small things that make the guys go across the water to the Pro Bowl and makes guys become champions.”